Chiran Samurai Residence Garden

Kagoshima

Scenic Views & Townscapes

# Historic Building

# Samurai Residence

# Garden

# Historic Preservation District

# Places of Scenic Beauty

A close-up view of a traditional samurai residence corner, with a foreground full of blooming bright pink azalea bushes.

The historic street of the Chiran Samurai Residences, lined with low stone walls and manicured boxwood hedges.

A traditional Japanese dry landscape garden (karesansui or pond style), featuring a small pond, sculpted pine trees, rocks, and a veranda.

Key Points

Preserved samurai district from the Edo period, known as “Little Kyoto of Satsuma”
Beautiful stone walls, hedges, and seven landscaped gardens
Designated a Nationally Designated Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings and National Place of Scenic Beauty

Often called the “Little Kyoto of Satsuma,” Chiran is a beautifully preserved samurai district. Built during the rule of the powerful samurai family, the Satsuma clan, the townscape features stone walls, hedges, and winding streets designed for both beauty and defense. Many of the original residences have survived here, offering a rare glimpse into Edo period samurai life.
Within the district, seven gardens have been designated as National Places of Scenic Beauty. Six are in the traditional karesansui (dry landscape) style, while one features a pond and miniature mountain in the chisenshiki style. The gardens also reveal influences from nearby Okinawa, reflecting Chiran’s role in Ryukyu trade.
The entire 18.6-hectare area is recognized as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. When you visit, you can stroll the 700-meter stone-walled street and explore the seven gardens open to the public, or use multilingual guides and an AR-powered app to learn about the history of the buildings.

Information

Spot information including address, access, and website
Address	13731-1 Chiran-cho District, Minamikyushu City, Kagoshima
Access from Tokyo	(1) From Tokyo Station, take the Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi to Shin-Osaka Station (approx. 2 hr 27 min). (2) At Shin-Osaka Station, transfer to the Sanyo/Kyushu Shinkansen Mizuho to Kagoshimachuo Station (approx. 3 hr 40 min). (3) At Kagoshimachuo Station, transfer to the Ibusukimakurazaki Line Local to Yamakawa Station (approx. 1 hr 16 min). (4) At Yamakawa Station, transfer to the Ibusukimakurazaki Line Local to Matsugaura Station (approx. 55 min). (5) From Matsugaura Station, walk to the Matsugaurasho bus stop (approx. 4 minutes). (6) From Matsugaurasho, take the Kyotenkan Bus (bound for Chiran) to Shiyakusho (approx. 33 min). (7) From Shiyakusho, walk to the Bukeyashiki-gunnai (approx. 7 minutes). Show route from Tokyo Station
Website	https://chiran-bukeyashiki.com/